The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) will decommission the Minehunter Coastal (MHC), HMAS Huon, on 30 May 2024. Huon was commissioned into the RAN on 15 May 1999 – 25 years ago – and is the lead ship of the six-strong Huon class, Australian Defence Magazine reports.
Two of its sister ships, HMAS Hawkesbury and HMAS Norman, were similarly decommissioned in 2018 and put up for sale, though no buyers have been found. The current condition of those two ships is unclear.
TThe MHC vessels were slated to be replaced by a modified version of the of the Arafura class offshore patrol vessel through Project Sea 1905 Tranche 2, however, with cuts to the Arafura class and no mention of Sea 1905 Tranche 2 in the recent Integrated Investment Plan, it’s unclear if or when the MHCs will receive a dedicated replacement.
The RAN has invited people who have an association with HMAS Huon to express their interest in attending the decommissioning ceremony, which will be held at HMAS Waterhen, via an online form which can be found here.
